Ottawa Public Health getting ready for flu season, urging everyone to get vaccinated
After a nearly non-existent flu season last year, Ottawa Public Health is expecting more cases of influenza this year.
"It is always hard to predict the flu season, but we can expect to see more cases than we did last year," says Marie-Claude Turcotte, Manager of Immunization with Ottawa Public Health.
"Some of the public health measures have been relaxed so people have more contact. The masks, physical distancing, hand washing, definitely helps but we can expect to see more.”
Last flu season, Ottawa Public Health reported only three lab-confirmed cases of the flu. In a typical year, that number jumps to between 700 and 800 cases.
OPH attributes the low number last winter to people staying and working at home during lockdowns, masking, and no indoor dining or gatherings.
"Those measures are very good at preventing flu," said Turcotte.
OPH will be holding free flu shot clinics this fall when supply is available. The city receives its flu vaccine supply from the province. The flu vaccine is available for everyone in Ontario six months and up.
"We are going to start distributing to long-term care and hospital starting this week and next, and that will be followed by retirement homes, doctors’ offices, and that is for high-risk patients," said Turcotte.
"It is the province that decides when we can start giving to the general population and that is all dependant on stock of vaccine, we need to make sure we have enough to meet the demand and we expect this year the beginning of November when we will be able to offer the flu vaccine to the general population."
Pharmacists will also play a role in the flu shot roll-out. Pharmacist Jordan Clarke says there is already demand.
"As early as August we had people asking when will flu shots be available. We are encouraging people to sign up online, and they will be notified when flu shots will be available and they can book an appointment online or walk-in," said Clarke.
Clarke says last year saw a spike in people getting their flu shot.
“We definitely saw an increase in people coming out to get vaccinated against influenza last year, a lot of people it was their first time being vaccinated against the flu so the message was clearly out there last year, and I think the message is out there again."
Clarke says getting vaccinated against the flu will help prevent a rise in hospitalizations during the fourth wave of COVID-19.
"We have been talking about vaccines since April and I think it is at the forefront of people’s minds. We don’t want to do anything that could clog up our emergency rooms and ICUs, cause any harm to our high-risk population," said Clarke in an interview with CTV News Ottawa.
He says there is no concern about getting the flu shot along with a COVID-19 vaccine.
"The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is saying there is no timeline requirement between the two (vaccines) so you can have them in close proximity which is good news for everyone especially if there is an opportunity going forward with third doses, which we are talking maybe we will see in the winter."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.